Requests to provide our Social Insurance Number have become so common that many people just assume they have no choice but to hand it over. That's actually not true, but having that knowledge is only half the battle. The real challenge is convincing the people who automatically request it that you really don't have to give it to them.

http://www.privcom.gc.ca/fs-fi/02_05_d_02_e.asp

http://canadaonline.about.com/cs/privac ... rivacy.htm

Have you given your SIN number when applying for a Credit card, loan, telephone service? Did you give it to them?

   

working in a business where I ask for SIN numbers all the time i agree that its important that people know when they are required and when its optional.

as an alternate option in my store we ask for a sin OR a valid credit card so we can do their credit check. if they dont have a cc and they dont want to give us their sin, then they can't get a phone. its that simple.

so while its important that people know their rights dont get mad at a retailer if you disagree with their company policy.

   

Only your employer, Revenue Canada and your banking institution (for the sole purpose of reporting investment INCOME) have the RIGHT to demand your SIN.

I recall a Tennessee Diesel Bear in the process of laying BS charges demanded my SIN. I refused and was promptly charge $100 for refusing. I called the US Marshalls and a Tennessee Diesel Bear was in deep dodo. The ticket he had issued was written proof of his illegal demand. The Marshall ruled that because this was an indictable offence in Canada.....he could be arrested in the US and extradicted.

From a practical standpoint you can refuse to disclose a SIN to a merchant and he can refuse to do business. This does not constitute a right though to demand a SIN. Unless you are a peace officer, it is not an offence to request/demand a SIN #.

   

Unfortunately with people stealing identities, company ask for your SIN far to often and unwittingly Canadians and Americans provide it without thinking.



Great story, but it sound more like the one arm fisherman, I cought a fish this big.

   

no one is DEMANDING anything

we ask you can say no, we tell every client that we need a government photo ID and either a sin OR a cc number for their credit check.

people get more upset with me for refusing to sell them a phone because they don't have a photo ID. I tell them its to protect them against identity theft and they then feel the need to assume that I'm calling them a liar.

dammed if you do dammed if you don't

it really makes me wonder why i do this job sometimes..

   

No problem with that

Mine is 284 349 192

   

   

You want to see funny looks, as a member of the military being refered to a civilian hospital for services, they ask for a health card. Of course, you don't have one. So they ask for a SIN, which you don't use, as it's tied to you as a private citizen, not member of the military. You offer them a SN (Service Number) but the fun part is watching them wrap themselves around the idea that the first number isn't a number at all but a letter. Got a few indignant remarks from the clerks at the U of A Hospital about that.

   

And not even your banking institution, technically. I remember reading somewhere that they can ask for it, for instance when you start an account with them, and if they have it it's used to cooperate with Canada Revenue Agency... but they cannot refuse you an account if you refuse to provide it.

   

tritium

FLAMING??????